- Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is priced at Rs 1.49 lakh to Rs 1.68 lakh (ex-showroom)
- It comes in two different variants - Retro & Metro
- The motorcycle boasts the new J series engine and platform
In August, Royal Enfield introduced the Hunter 350 motorcycle. The most affordable Royal Enfield motorcycle in India is the roadster-inspired Hunter 350. The motorcycle is built on the new J platform and comes with the new J series engine. It is available in the Retro and Metro variants. Here are the pros and cons of the RE Hunter 350.
Pros
Design
The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is a roadster motorcycle with some retro design elements. The circular headlamps and taillamps with classic styling give off a sporty appearance. In addition, the Hunter 350 is the lightest motorbike in the RE portfolio with a weight of only 177-181 kg. The Hunter 350 has a great road presence and looks excellent on the road.
Platform & Engine Performance
The Hunter 350's J series platform is lightweight and equipped with better hardware to increase its dynamic range. The light weight makes it more maneuverable, and the motorcycle has remarkable handling. In terms of the engine, it delivers sufficient torque and power. A considerable quantity of low and mid range performance is provided by the engine that has 20 bhp of power and the peak torque of 27 Nm. Additionally, the motorcycle's throttle responsiveness has been improved compared to the Classic 350 and Meteor 350.
Good Number of Features
There are a lot of features included with the RE Hunter 350. The motorcycle's Metro version has a Tripper navigation system, semi-digital instrument cluster, a charging port, dual-channel ABS, alloy wheels, and hazard lights. More basic switches, a straightforward instrument cluster, single channel ABS, halogen rear tail lamps, and other fundamental characteristics are added to the Retro model.
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Pricing, Variants & Colour Options
The Hunter 350 is priced reasonably in the market thanks to Royal Enfield. The motorcycle's Retro version costs Rs. 1.49 lakh (ex-showroom), while the Metro version costs Rs. 1.63 lakh (ex-showroom) for monochromatic colour options and Rs. 1.68 lakh (ex-showroom) for dual-tone colour options. Additionally, the Metro model has a good selection of features, alloy wheels, and colour choices, while the Retro variant just has two colour options and spoked wheels.
Cons
Suspension
The bike's suspension is well-calibrated, and it retains the vehicle firmly in place over small potholes and speed bumps. The front end is pleasant and supple, but the back end feels excessively stiff. You will sense a little stress from the bumpy sections of the road because you can immediately feel how uncomfortable they make the ride.
Braking is Not That Great
The handling of the RE Hunter 350 is good but the braking is not that great. At sudden braking situations the brakes perform but feels spongy sometimes. The front disc brake misses that extra bite force which could have made the braking more efficient. On the plus side the presence of dual-channel ABS give confidence while braking in sudden situation.
Some vibrations can be felt at higher speeds
While riding the bike at higher speeds, the vibrations can be felt on the handle bar. The rear view mirrors vibrate a lot and it create hindrance in viewing sides. Although, these vibrations are well controlled as compared to other RE bikes but the vibrations on the mirror create some problems in several circumstances.
Verdict
For those who desire a RE but don't want a bike with a bulky appearance, there is the Royal Enfield Hunter 350. For customers on a strict budget who wish to ride a Royal Enfield, the Hunter 350 is a good option.